Way up a holler between a couple of prominent knobs, below Panther (pronounced "Painter") Knob, we're building a log cabin. Go to the archives and start at the bottom for a chronological story. Comments are welcome! This diary of a project may digress and venture into literature, life, and my reflections on any particular day.

Only posts that describe some sort of action or motion (not mere reflection) toward the cabin's actual progress will be preceded by a title prefaced by the words, "Cabin Chapter..."

Afraid my other wood hammer might break (I made it from a piece of firewood, which could split), I set out to make a proper striking mallet. I also have two big chisels, or slicks, and I'd like to have a "guest mallet" to entertain friends when we start notching logs.

So I cut a piece of dry oak to length, used a carpenter's saw to outline the handle, took long chips out of the handle end with the big slick, the one that's 8 pounds and that I could shave with, and rounded it off with a drawknife. Since taking these shots, I finished it some more and bathed it in danish oil. Weighing more than the slick, it fits nicely in the hand, balances well, and drives a controlled wallop. If I can drop one or two trees and get the bark off, maybe I'll get a chance to play with it this weekend.